Chapter 10: Your Majesty, I Am Loyal and Honest
The turmoil in the Golden Dragon Hall ended with the impeachment official Chen Zheng being carried away.
The entire court fell silent, with no one voicing dissent.
After the rewards were distributed, the officials shouted "Long live the Emperor" and prepared to adjourn.
Zhao Yi followed his father, Zhao Zhao, turning to slip away quietly when a sharp voice called out from behind.
"Lord Zhao, please wait."
Zhao Yi turned to see a pale-faced eunuch who looked somewhat familiar—it was Eunuch Gui, who had earlier delivered an imperial edict outside the Vermilion Gate.
Eunuch Gui wore a polite smile and gave a slight bow toward Zhao Yi.
"His Majesty has issued an order: Zhao Yi, Assistant Minister of the Ministry of War, is summoned to the Imperial Study."
At this, the officials nearby paused in their steps, casting meaningful glances at Zhao Yi.
His father Zhao Zhao’s face changed with a sudden pang of worry. He hurried over, lowering his voice to warn him.
"You brat, when you meet His Majesty, behave yourself!"
"Don’t say anything you shouldn’t, understand?"
"Got it, got it," Zhao Yi replied impatiently, waving his hand as he followed Eunuch Gui deeper into the palace.
...
Inside the Imperial Study.
The scent of sandalwood lingered, and the room was so quiet one could hear the rustling of bamboo leaves outside the window.
Upon entering, Zhao Yi saw the Empress Wu Mingkong, already changed out of her elaborate dragon robe, now dressed in a somewhat loose black regular robe, sitting upright behind the imperial desk with a scroll in her hands, her demeanor relaxed.
During the morning court, the distance and her wide robe had obscured the details.
Now, up close, Zhao Yi’s gaze began to wander mischievously once more.
Tsk. This figure was impressive indeed.
Even the loose robe could not conceal those breathtaking curves.
And those legs stretched straight and long beneath the desk.
If only she wore black silk...
Hiss—
Zhao Yi hastily lowered his head, silently reminding himself to look away.
“Sit,” the Empress’s voice came softly from the dragon throne, unreadable in tone.
“Thank you, Your Majesty,” Zhao Yi replied obediently, settling into the chair at the lower seat, pretending to be a proper gentleman.
The Empress put down her scroll, her slender fingers lightly tapping the desk.
“You mentioned cement earlier. How long before a finished product can be seen?”
Here it was.
The real matter at hand.
Zhao Yi immediately set aside his wandering thoughts and adopted a serious expression.
“Your Majesty, cement is a binding material made primarily from limestone and clay, calcined at high temperatures. When mixed with water, it hardens in air, far surpassing any current city-building material in strength.”
“As for the time...”
Zhao Yi paused thoughtfully.
“I must first build a kiln for experimental tests. If the tests succeed, large-scale production can follow.”
“At the earliest, one month; at the latest, two months. Results will surely be visible.”
The Empress nodded, apparently satisfied with the reply.
“Very good.”
“I shall issue orders for the Ministry of Works to fully cooperate with you.”
“Provide people if needed, provide funds if necessary.”
“Thank you, Your Majesty!”
Yet before he could respond further, the Empress’s tone shifted, tinged with amusement.
“By the way.”
“You previously proposed establishing an internal bureau to supervise officials. I think that is excellent.”
Zhao Yi felt a chill in his heart, a bad premonition.
Sure enough, the Empress leaned slightly forward, her phoenix-like eyes smiling enigmatically, lips parting softly.
“I have thought it over carefully. The head of this bureau must be someone I trust most.”
“Zhao Yi.”
“You shall be that person whom I trust most.”
Boom!
Zhao Yi felt as if a thunderbolt had struck his mind, leaving him stunned.
To be the most trusted?
To head the internal bureau?
Damn it!
Isn’t that the role of the Eastern Depot’s chief eunuch?
Are they expecting me to castrate myself and serve as a eunuch in the palace?
At the thought, Zhao Yi’s face instantly drained of color, cold sweat soaking his back.
With a thud, he slid off his chair and knelt on the ground, bawling uncontrollably.
“Your Majesty! This is absolutely impossible!”
“I... I am the sole heir of my family for three generations. I still wish to leave descendants for the Zhao family!”
“I am simple-minded and honest but lack sufficient ability. Unworthy of such a heavy responsibility! I beg Your Majesty to reconsider!”
As he wept, he cursed the Empress silently eight hundred times.
What a merciless woman!
I just glanced at you a couple of times, and now you want to sever my family line?
The Empress watched his pitiful display, a vengeful smile curling on her lips, but she feigned puzzlement.
“Oh? Then who do you think is suitable?”
Zhao Yi’s mind raced desperately until a spark of inspiration struck.
He suddenly raised his head, tears still clinging to his cheeks but his expression full of earnestness.
“Your Majesty! Such a position, supervising officials and offending many, must be held by a just, impartial, and ruthless official with no family ties.”
“I think...”
“Inspector Chen Zheng of the Censorate would be perfect!”
“Let him handle this; he will surely uncover a slew of corrupt officials for Your Majesty!”
The Empress had just lifted her tea cup, ready to savor a leisurely sip and enjoy Zhao Yi’s embarrassment.
But upon hearing the name “Chen Zheng,” she froze in place.
Pft—
A mouthful of imperial tea sprayed out without warning.
“Cough... cough cough cough...”
The usually composed and dignified Empress choked violently, her face turning red, utterly losing her imperial composure.
Nearby, Eunuch Gui was terrified out of his wits, rushing forward to pat her back and offer a towel.
After a long while, Wu Mingkong recovered.
She regarded Zhao Yi with a look as if seeing a ghost, thinking only one thing.
How dare this scoundrel speak such words aloud?
To insult the court official into fainting, then immediately recommend him for the most hated job?
Killing the body is not enough—you must kill the heart as well!
Seeing her reaction, Zhao Yi understood he was probably safe for now.
He cautiously lifted his head.
“Your Majesty... what do you think of my suggestion?”
“Begone,” the Empress said irritably, rubbing her aching temples.
That matter was settled.
Wu Mingkong composed herself, her expression growing serious again.
“As for your other proposal—‘Questioning the World’—how do you suggest implementing it?”
Zhao Yi rose from the floor, dusting off his knees, his expression grave.
“Your Majesty, while the proposal is excellent, now is too soon to enact it.”
He paused, speaking slowly and deliberately.
“To repel external threats, one must first secure internal stability.”
“Oh?”
The Empress narrowed her phoenix eyes, signaling him to continue.
Zhao Yi took a deep breath, aware the true test had come.
“Though the Northern barbarians have been driven back, it was only by my stratagem temporarily scaring them off; their foundation remains intact and they may return at any time. This is the external threat.”
“Meanwhile, our Great Zhou is not united within.”
The Empress’s gaze sharpened.
She knew Zhao Yi had seen through the situation.
“Your Majesty ascended the throne recently; undercurrents ripple through the court.”
“As I understand, Minister of Revenue Zhou Xian, Director of Personnel Wang Mang, and Prince of the South Wu De maintain close private ties, forming factions for personal gain with significant ambitions.”
“If Your Majesty were to boldly implement ‘Questioning the World’ now, it would inevitably strike at their interests, forcing them into desperate measures.”
“At that time, internal strife and external threats would erupt simultaneously, plunging the state into upheaval!”
Upon finishing, the Imperial Study fell into a deathly silence.
The Empress regarded him for a long moment without speaking.
In her eyes were shock and admiration.
She had not expected this scoundrel to perceive the court’s situation so clearly.
Prince of the South Wu De was her royal uncle.
Zhou Xian and Wang Mang were key members of his faction.
Those scoundrels indeed sought to exploit her fragile foundation to pull her from the dragon throne.